Hair loss is an issue plaguing men and women of all ages around the world. It is often a sensitive topic as people are self-conscious about losing their hair and, therefore, do not seek help due to feeling embarrassed.
This does not need to be the case, though, as there are natural products like amino acids to promote scalp health. In this blog article, we'll discuss how the essential amino acid known as phenylalanine might just help you put your baseball cap back in the closet and let your hair and scalp shine.
What Is Phenylalanine?
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid for humans, which means the human body is unable to synthesize it.
Phenylalanine comes in two forms: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is incorporated into proteins, while D-phenylalanine is currently not fully understood.
L-phenylalanine, like the other essential amino acids, is pivotal in the production of certain molecules and amino acids, which can support and improve hair health.
Phenylalanine, in particular, is a crucial precursor for tyrosine, which is an amino acid significantly contributing to healthy hair growth.
What Can Phenylalanine Do for You and Your Hair?
The amino acid phenylalanine by itself will not stimulate the growth of hair follicles. It does, however, act as a crucial precursor in the creation of the non-essential amino acid tyrosine. Without diving into too much complicated science, the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase converts phenylalanine into tyrosine.
Tyrosine is the amino acid responsible for creating melanin, which provides us with our hair color. It also can help with healthy hair growth, especially when hair loss has been caused by stress.
Tyrosine helps produce epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are hormones dealing with stress. High-stress levels can lead to a drop in the production of tyrosine, which reduces the amount of stress hormones used to help negate stress-induced symptoms.
Stress-induced hair loss differs from genetic hair loss, as it causes hair to fall out in clumps when combing, washing, or running your fingers through your hair. If your stress level is brought down and controlled, and your body receives enough tyrosine, then you should experience hair regrowth.
The Benefits of Phenylalanine for Your Hair
As previously discussed, the amino acid phenylalanine does not offer any benefits for hair on its own, but when the human body uses it to produce tyrosine, it can help improve some aspects of hair loss:
- It can help with stress-induced hair loss caused by alopecia areata, trichotillomania, and telogen effluvium by reducing inflammation.
- It can help relieve symptoms of inflammation like a sore or sensitive scalp.
- It can encourage hair that was lost due to stress to regrow.
- It can help alleviate the stress, which can cause stress-induced hair loss.
- It can reduce the graying of hair, as it helps produce melanin.
What Are the Side Effects of Phenylalanine?
Phenylalanine, like many other essential amino acids, is safe for the majority of people to apply to their skin.
Unlike taking amino acid supplements, topical application is very unlikely to cause any negative effects. That's especially true when using tested, dermatologist-approved formulas like ours in Divi’s Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner, all of which contain phenylalanine. We've carefully measured each of our clean ingredients to create the perfect balance between minimizing side effects and allowing our customers to see improved scalp health.
Phenylalanine for Hair: What Does Science Say?
While the amino acid phenylalanine will not directly affect hair growth, it is a pivotal precursor for the amino acid tyrosine, which has been shown to improve symptoms of stress-related hair loss. According to MayoClinic.org, high stress levels can induce three different types of hair loss, which are trichotillomania, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
Stress-induced hair loss will likely not cause your hair to thin straight away but will cause it to fall out in clumps when you wash your hair, comb your hair, or run your fingers through it. Phenylalanine supplements can encourage the regrowth of hair if it has been lost due to a stress-induced condition.
Tyrosine has also been shown to reduce and reverse the graying of hair, as it is used to produce melanin, which is the pigment that determines the color of our hair and skin.
What to Consider Before Using Phenylalanine for Hair Growth?
Before you decide to use a product containing phenylalanine to help with hair regrowth, it would be a good idea to visit a physician, as they should be able to help determine the cause of your hair loss or thinning. You can also visit a dermatologist (skin doctor) to see if you have any skin conditions.
If your hair loss is stress-induced and you have been diagnosed with trichotillomania, alopecia areata, or telogen effluvium, then a product containing phenylalanine could encourage hair regrowth.
It's also worth consulting a physician before using a phenylalanine product in case you have an undiagnosed case of PKU, although this is extremely rare.
Purchase Divi’s Scalp Serum for the Benefits of Phenylalanine
If hair loss is knocking your confidence or affecting your quality of life, opting to use the most invasive solution to solve this problem won't always be your best bet.
So if you're feeling a little thin on top these days, consider using Divi’s Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner. All three contain phenylalanine, an amino acid, plus other amino acids and clean ingredients shown to boost the scalp and promote hair growth.
FAQs
What Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Hair Loss?
If your body lacks vitamin D, you may begin losing hair. This is because vitamin D plays an important role in stimulating new and old hair follicles.
Does Tyrosine Reverse Gray Hair?
Tyrosine has been known to reverse hair graying, as it aids in the production of melanin. Remember, phenylalanine promotes the production of tyrosine, meaning you could see fewer grays after treating your scalp with Divi's products.
